Joakim Soria News: Pro Sports Daily

Royals' Aviles, Soria, Greinke recognized for achievements

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November 11

Kansas City Star

"This latest rebuilding effort by the Royals is starting to gain some traction. Three young cornerstones were honored Monday for their achievements last season by the Kansas City Chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Rookie shortstop Mike Aviles, 27, is the Les Milgram Player of the Year after batting .325 with 10 homers and 51 RBIs in 102 games following his May 29 promotion from Class AAA Omaha. Closer Joakim Soria, 24, is the Bruce Rice Pitcher of the Year after converting 42 of 45 save opportunities, compiling a 1.60 ERA in 63 appearances and contributing 1 2/3 scoreless innings to the American League's victory in the All-Star Game. Pitcher Zack Greinke, 25, was ..."

Royals' Joakim Soria wins pitching award

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October 6

Kansas City Star

"Royals closer Joakim Soria reaped an individual reward Monday for his role in the club's strong September by being selected as the DHL Delivery Man of the Month. Soria was 1-0 with nine saves in September while not allowing a run in 10 1/3 innings over 10 appearances. The award is chosen by a panel, in conjunction with Major League Baseball, and seeks to recognize the game's best reliever for each month throughout the regular season. The award caps a breakthrough season for Soria, 24, in his first full year as a closer. He was 2-3 with 42 saves and a 1.60 ERA in 63 games. "It's pretty nice," he said, "but I never set goals. I just try to do my best every time I come on the mound. If I get ..."

Soria and Royals cool with nickname, T-shirt

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July 22

Kansas City Star

"If there were any questions about whether Joakim Soria’s nickname “The Mexicutioner” might stick, all you have to do is observe the popularity of those “Mexicutioner” T-shirts being distributed by WHB (810 AM). WHB’s Kevin Kietzman said the station will have unloaded 5,000 of them by the end of the week (they are free, though a $5 donation to charity for each one is appreciated.) The T-shirts also are very popular in the Royals’ clubhouse. Numerous Royals wear them under their jerseys during batting practice."

Royals’ Soria doesn’t pitch to form

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July 16

Kansas City Star

"The world did not see Kansas City’s Mexicutioner, not the one who has turned even Royals fans confident with ninth-inning leads. Oh, this wasn’t necessarily the stage to thumbs-up-or-down Joakim Soria, Gladiator style, but it will nonetheless have to do for however many people stayed up late enough Tuesday night to see the Royals’ gem for the first time. He didn’t show it, but somewhere beneath that ice cold demeanor Soria had to be feeling some nerves. Whole different thing here, in front of a sold-out Yankee Stadium, millions more on TV, starting the 11th inning of the All-Star Game and following Mariano Rivera’s “Enter Sandman” routine."

Soria closes All-Star deal

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July 7

Kansas City Star

"Call it one-plus invitations. Royals closer Joakim Soria is heading next week to the All-Star Game in New York, and outfielder Jose Guillen might be. Guillen is one of five candidates for the 32nd and final spot on the American League team. The winner will be determined this week in an online vote. There is no question regarding Soria; he's going. AL manager Terry Francona of the Red Sox picked Soria, who has a 1.22 ERA in 35 appearances with 23 saves in 24 opportunities. "He's been outstanding," Royals manager Trey Hillman said. "He's been so good that he's spoiled us." Major League Baseball announced 31 of the 32 selections for each team Sunday afternoon in a national cablecast on ..."

Royals traveled far to find a sure thing

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June 29

Kansas City Star

columnist Joe Posnanski

"Here is a fun little baseball story. You obviously know all about Joakim Soria now. He has emerged as one of the premier closers in the game. He has given the Royals something they have lacked for a long time - a sure thing. For years, the problem with the Royals wasn't so much that they were bad, it was that they didn't do much good. There was no one to count on to break a losing streak or get the big hit or make the dazzling catch. Soria changes that. The Royals know now that if they can get the game into the ninth inning with a lead, they're going to win. Wow, that's a good feeling."

Closer Soria shuts 'em down

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June 22

Kansas City Star

"Nearly 30,000 fans rose to their feet in the ninth Saturday evening at Kauffman Stadium, eager to see the Royals bring some of their recent road magic back to Kansas City. It wasn't pennant-race pressure, but there was some pressure on the Royals after they blew a four-run lead and lost Friday night. But you wouldn't know it by watching closer Joakim Soria perform. Like he's done so often this season, Soria protected the Royals' 5-3 lead without any anxious moments. He struck out the first two Giants and ended the game with a harmless fly ball that center fielder Joey Gathright easily caught. "It's very impressive," Royals manager Trey Hillman said."